Christmas and Winter reads

Sorry I've been MIA for the last month, but life happened and I've been in a reading slump, again. BUT I bring you today a post with a bunch of Christmas and Winter reads since it's my favorite time of year and I want to make the best of it. So let's start:

I don't know about you, but when I think about books to read this time of year it's either classics - because you can actually drink a hot beverage while reading them, and because I love reading classics when it's cold. Books that take place during the Winter or the holiday season. Books with snow. Fluffy books and books with baking - because I always bake my way through December. Oh, and massive books so you can just snuggle up in a blanket and stay there for the rest of the day.




Two years ago, when I first met my boyfriend, I read Dash and Lily's Book of Dares and I absolutely loved it. The summary basically tells you what happens in the first chapter, but the story is so much more. Normally I hate when the summary tells you what happens in the first chapter and not what the whole book is about, but I loved it when it came to this one.
It's such a cute and fluffy read and there's lots of snow and romance involved. (YA)




I read Let it Snow last Christmas when me and my family just moved into our new house and it made the process easier because I had a fluffy read whenever I became stressed or irritated (I hate moving). I remember loving all 3 stories, but I think I preferred the first one. I also loved how the stories where intertwined without it being confusing. This one is also a Christmas and a Winter story with lots of snow and holiday cheer! (YA)



I think the majority of people have either read, seen or just heard about The Grinch that Stole Christmas. I have watched the movie every Christmas season for as long as I can remember but I read the book for the first time last year and I loved it. The movie and the book is at the same time alike but not alike. For once I enjoy both of them and I think everybody HAVE to read this book. (Children's)




I read A Christmas Feast and other stories last month, I think, and I loved it. It's an anthology with a bunch of Christmas stories and I adored it. I read it in a single day and for a person who normally hate anthologies I would say that that is quite fast. If you're intrigued you can read my review here. It will definitely put you in a Christmas mood with all the lovely Christmas romances! (Adult)




You can't make any list without a Rainbow Rowell book! Since her newest one is set during Wintertime it's perfect. I actually read Landline during the summer, since that's when it was released, but it really should be read during the holiday season. Nevertheless I loved it and it's definitely going to be one of my favorites for quite a while. (Adult)
I read Fangirl last Christmas so maybe that's why it reminds me of it, but I do believe it has a Christmas feel to it as well. (YA)





I started reading this the other day and so far I'm really enjoying it. My True Love Gave to Me is another anthology made up of Christmas stories and it's quite popular at the moment. (YA)





Other books and stories:

• Harry's First Christmas by G. Norman Lippert. It's a very short, short story about Harry's first Christmas and you can find it here for free. You can also just read the original Harry Potter series, there's always a part about Christmas in each book and I do love re-reading a childhood favorite during Christmas
• I am Scrooge: A Zombie Story for Christmas. I have this one waiting for me on my shelf, unread. It's about 150 pages and it's a 'parody' of A Christmas Carol. I can't really recommend it since I haven't read it yet - but I do know that it's about Christmas. 
• 'Twas the Night before Christmas and Other Christmas Stories. I read a third of this last year and I enjoyed it. It's an anthology with Christmas stories for kids. 
• A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books by Charles Dickens. This is another book I have lying on my shelf, unread. I know that I absolutely love A Christmas Carol, but I don't know about the other stories. 
• I absolutely love reading fairytales during the Christmas season. And The Ice Queen by H.C. Andersen is perfect for Winter. Jackson Pearce also wrote a fairytale re-telling of this called Cold Spell. 
• When it comes to classics I think The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is perfect! I also love reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen this time of year 
• Some chick-lit to get in the Christmas mood: Cold Feet at Christmas by Debbie Johnson - I think this sounds so intriguing and I can't wait to start reading it. 
• And lastly a mystery/thriller for Christmas: Dying for Christmas by Tammy Cohen

Are there any books I've forgotten or should know about? 

*

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

Series: N/A, Standalone

Publication date:  2012 (first published October 2nd 2008)

Publisher: Speak

Genres: YA, Contemporary

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought from the Book Depository 

Pages: 352

Amazon | Goodreads 

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve

buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House ( and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

A trio of today's bestselling authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle- brings all the magic of the holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and kisses that will steal your breath away.

The Stories

Since this book is 3 different stories that is intertwined, it is easier reviewing each story and then as a whole.

The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson

I LOVED this one, I gave this particular story 5 stars! I really liked Jubilee, she was down to earth and funny. Also, I loved how focused and purposive she is. When she sets herself up to something, she actually does it! For example, there is this big storm outside, and she goes out into the storm and finds the Waffle House - IN THE STORM. 

Stuart is so sweet! I could not help but smile everytime they talked or just sat together. 

A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green

This one was not really one of my favorites, but I still gave it 4 stars because it was cute. Tobin was sweet - not as much as Stuart - but still sweet. I really liked the friendship between Tobin, "the Duke" and JP, also their big adventure in the snow is funny! JP is definetely the funny one!

 The Patron Saints of Pig by Lauren Myracle

This one was okay, I did not really get it most of the time, and even though this one is actually the longest, it felt like the shortest one, because not much happened. But I still gave it 4 stars, because it tied the stories together wonderfully!

So all in all this book got 4.5 berries, since I LOVED the first story that much! The ending was perfect and really tied everything together. I loved how intertwined the stories were, the authors did a wonderful job!

Also, I just have to comment on the design of the book! I REALLY love the cover, snowflakes are possibly my favorite thing ever! Also, snowflakes are all over the pages, chapters and around the pagenumbers! It is amazing and so festive!

Winter Wonderland Tag

This tag was created by Jack from JackEatsBooks on youtube. 

1. What book is so happy and sweet that it warms your heart?

Dash& Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, I really really enjoyed reading it - and if I hadn't just read it in February I would probably be re-reading it right now!

Also the part from Maureen Johnson in Let it Snow by her, John Green and Lauren Myracle (halfway through, so I do not know whether the others parts are as good)

2. What is your favorite book with a white cover? 

 

 Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion 

This book is amazing, instead of just being ABOUT zombies, the book is written in the actual zombies PERSPECTIVE instead - that is plain out amazing!

3. You're sitting in a nice comfy chair, wearing a onesie, with a lovely warm hot chocolate but what MONSTER read are you reading? 

Since the next couple of massive/monster books that is on my TBR-list is Under the Dome by Stephen King, The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandom Sanderson and We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen (the original danish version). I will probably snug up in my panda onesie - yes, I have an actual panda onesie, and read one of those.

4. It started snowing so you decided to have a snowball fight! What fictional character would you love to have the snowball fight with? 

Stuart from Let it Snow - he is so sweet, he will probably not be mean! He will be very sweet and not throw hard balls. Also, he probably looks really good in snow... At least he does in my head, and that is enough for me.

5. Sadly, your fire is beginning to go out. So what book would you tear the last few chapters out to throw into the fire? 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower from Stephen Chbosky - not because it is bad, I would just like to have Charlie not know what he knows in those chapters.. because it broke my heart. 

6. What book is so close to your heart that you would gift to someone this Christmas who hasn't read before but wants to get into reading?

Harry Potter!... I will not give them The Fault in Our Stars since it will kill them and that will not get them into reading!

If you do the tag, leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Top Ten Tuesday + Teaser Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is as usual hosted by the team at The Broke and The Bookish

December is my favorite month out of the entire year, and Winter is my favorite season! I love the snow (it snows in Denmark) and the sweater weather, and the warm drinks and snuggling up under the covers. Also, I love Christmas!

New Releases

Cursed by Lizzy Ford - recieved from Netgalley, so I feel like I have to read this soon - also, it sounds really great ^^

Alienated by Melissa Landers 

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce - I was planning to read this in December, but it got moved to January/February since I wanted to read actual Christmas books for December. 

Already Out (my december TBR) 

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle - currently reading this one and I really enjoy it! (See my teaser down below)
'Twas the Night before Christmas  - currently reading this one, it is so nice with a bunch of Christmas stories ^^
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss - I actually read this the other day, but it was still on my December TBR so it still counts!
A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books by Charles Dickens - I have to read at least 1 classic book each Winter and since I can find my banged up copy of Pride and Prejudice I thought I would go with this one.



Claus: Legend of the Fat Man by Tony Bertauski - also one I recieved from Netgalley
I am Scrroge: A Zombie Story for Christmas by Adam Roberts - a Zombie adaptation - need I say more?

The new releases are books that I am probably first going to read in January/February. And my December TBR - well hence the name, are the books I am either currently reading, have read or are planning to read.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Want to join? All you have to do is grab your current read, flip open to a random page and share a non-spoiler teaser. Easy, right? Then just write it in the comments or make your own post and put the link in the comments. - But I like to share 2 teasers instead of one

My current read is Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle. So far I am really enjoying it! I am about 60 pages in, so this teaser will be from one of the pages before 60 (I refuse to spoil myself).

"My name is Jubilee Dougal. Take a moment and let it sink in. See, when you get it up front, it's not that bad. Now imagine I was halfway through some long story (like I am about to be), and I dropped that one on you. "By the way, my name is Jubilee." You wouldn't know what to do next.

""How did you get here?" he asked. "My train," I said, pointing to the vista of snow and darkness. "We got stuck.""


Which book on your Winter TBR are you most looking forward to? And do you want to share a teaser with me? I would love to read it :)

Winter reads!

Since I love Christmas, I thought it would be great to do a recommendation post with books that are perfect for Wintertime!

This list includes classics, contemporary, childrens, spin-offs / retellings etc.




First we have Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce which is a retelling of "The Snow Queen" by H.C. Andersen (which is another story you could read). This is tecnically the 4th in a series, but since it is only a "companion" series you can read this as a standalone - if you like.









Then we have Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. I read this in February and I had to give it 5 stars because I seriously enjoyed it. It is set during the Wintertime and it has a sweet romance in it. AND BOOKS.








Let it Snow by John Grenn, Lauren Myracle and Maureen Johnson is another cute christmas book which contains 3 holiday romances. I can honestly say that John Green is the only reason why I bought this book, and I cannot wait to read it.






I love Dr. Seuss - The Lorax is my all-time favorite movie - so How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an obvious choice. It is such a light read and such a fun one too. I love reading it aloud and making funny voices for my baby brother.








A Christmas Carol and other Christmas books by Charles Dickens. I watched the adaptation with Jim Carrey in it back in 2009 and I loved it. Since then I have had an obsession with a Christmas Carol, so this is a perfect book since it contains other books by Dickens too. I believe there a 5 in total.







I am Scrooge: A Zombie Story for Christmas. I found this a while back and I thought it was such a weird idea that I just HAD to buy it. So apparantly zombies are in for Christmas too!










Claus: The Legend of the Fat Man by Tony Bertauski. A book about SANTA! I think this has another angle on the whole Santa-thing, but I am not sure.

The Holiday Collection from the Indie Eclective. A bunch of short Christmas stories wrapped in one FREE EBOOK.









Twas the Night before Christmas and other Christmas Stories. This contains about 30 different stories about Christmas (it also contains A Christmas Carol)
If you want to read an adaption of "Twas the Night before Christmas", then check out "Twas the Zombie Attack before Christmas"